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The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Hair
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Not too short, not too long, mid-length hair is just right for countless cool styles.
Besides finding your wedding dress, searching through wedding hairstyles can be one of the most exciting parts of planning your wedding day look. But if you find yourself stuck in the middle—i.e., at a hair length that can neither be described as short nor long—that's easier said than done.
50 Stunning Bridal Hairstyle Ideas for Every Type of Wedding
No need to grow out locks (or snip them off for that matter). A marvelous mid-length cut will set you apart from the rest. And medium-length looks can truly make a big statement. From halo-accessorized coiffures to bohemian waves, there are some totally doable hairstyles that are unique and gorgeous.
No matter your hair texture or overall style, these medium-length wedding hairstyles are bound to suit you.
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Center-Parted Curls
This bride's voluminous natural curls are the only accessory she needs. We love how the center part frames the face with balanced symmetry.
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Windswept Waves
Go for an effortlessly chic blowout that will work for your big day and beyond. This windswept, beachy look is right at home in alfresco settings.
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Big Volume
If you've got curls, flaunt them! This bride's natural spirals give so much volume and playful vivacity to the look.
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Glossy Waves With Slicked-Back Bangs
Glamorous, shiny waves are an excellent choice for hair of any length. This bride tucked her bangs back and let those bodacious waves cascade over them for an elegant and polished approach.
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Dimensional Texture
Try this beachy, two-toned wavy look if you are really ready to wow. Sunny highlights add tons of dimension, giving the soft spirals a glossy effect.
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Glam Waves With Delicate Details
It’s hard not to get lost within this beautiful arrangement of glam waves topped with a dainty crystal headband. "I love that headband so much I’ve reworn it countless times, because it adds that little extra to any outfit," shares the bride.
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Upswept Curls
Raked-back curls add texture and volume to an otherwise classic chignon. This gorgeous bride's romantic style befits her magical French château nuptials.
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Floral Updo
With a bit of smoothing serum and a few bobby pins, medium-length hair can totally work in an updo. Sometimes all mid-length strands need are a sprig of greenery or a touch of florals to be totally bridal.
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Old Hollywood Waves
Give off old-Hollywood glamour vibes with these brushed-out finger waves and blunt cut. The style evokes strength and femininity all in one look.
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Fabulous Fringe
This bride's hair is a little longer, but neatly cut bangs and ends that are flirtatiously flipped outward are enchanting on everyone.
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Glam Crinkle
This middle-part, beach-wave look is equal parts sexy and sophisticated. We love how the blunt cut grazes the shoulders and draws attention to the sweetheart neckline of the dress.
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Perfectly Imperfect Updo
Since every piece of hair might not be long enough for a polished chignon, a messy updo is a perfect choice for brides with medium-length locks. Add a floral topper and you've got a whimsical bridal look that's always in style.
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Pinned Curls
This bride pinned back a curtain of curls with sparkly, bejeweled hair accessories. Hair pins are a great way to elevate any coif, simply play with the positioning to tune the look.
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A Plaited Crown
A crowning braid is just the finishing touch a boho princess needs. We love how the 'do adds height while still giving a soft aesthetic.
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Tousled Half-Up, Half-Down
This pulled-back look couldn't be easier to style. It's also the best of both worlds, leaving your hair flowing around your shoulders but out of your face.
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Soft Waves
Barely there waves make for a touchably soft and feminine wedding day hairstyle. It's the perfect junction between polished and effortless.
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Low Chignon With Regal Headband
The ultimate bridal accessory you can rewear well after the ceremony? A headband. “For all of my dress fittings I wore a padded pearlheadband, and after a while I just couldn’t picture wearing my dress without one!” says the bride of the simple updo at her Jamaican nuptials.
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Mini Chignon
Chignons can come in all shapes and sizes making them the perfect option for mid-length tresses. This miniature bun complements the bride's minimal gown beautifully.
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Overflowing Updo
Mid-length hair looks amazing loosely tucked back into an informal knot, as the shorter lengths tend to spill out and alluringly frame the face.
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Straight Strands
Give straight strands a little extra oomph by coyly curling the ends inward for a sexy spin, like Stone Cold Fox designer Cydney Morris did for her wedding. The key is to inject a little volume throughout the entire hair shaft so the style doesn't look too sleek.
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Double-Braided Updo
This bride paired her high-neck, lace dress with twin French braids that snaked their way from the top of her temples down to the nape of the neck where they came together in a knot. She tucked a rosebud into the mix for an added dose of freshness.
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Luscious Curls
A sultry side part with big, voluminous curls is picture-perfect hair goals, no matter your hair length. In fact, the shorter the tresses, the bouncier the curls!
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Tousled Tendrils
Be still, our hearts! A center part with gently tousled tendrils is about as romantic as you can get.
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Brushed-Out Curls
Brushed-out curls are oh so soft and fuss-free. We love how the softness of the hairstyle matches that of the lace dress.
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Beach Waves With a Birdcage Veil
We see you, birdcage veil and beachy-wave lob. And we're loving every minute of it.
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Ribboned Bun
This bride tied a sheer, black ribbon around her bun to elevate the minimalist hairstyle. The contrasting addition was the perfect complement to the low-back, beaded gown and imparted a decidedly French-girl flair to the ensemble. Non?
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Low Ponytail
Who said you can't have mid-length hair and sport a ponytail? This low pony of wavy strands—wrapped in a bow, no less—is proof that you can have it all.
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A Bouncy Bridal Blowout
No need to overthink things. A bouncy blowout is all you need for bridal bliss.
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Curly Chignon With Pearl-Embellished Crown
Forgo the veil and opt for a striking scattering of pearls instead. “To give my hair an edge I went for apearl-embellishedsleek center part with an interlocked bun,” says the bride of the “whimsically elegant” 'do for her modern wedding in Montenegro.
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Cool-Girl Texture
Curl only the bottom portions of your strands and give them a good tousle for an effortless feel. You can even leave the last inch or so of the ends straight for a cool-girl aesthetic like The Style Bungalow's Stephanie Hill did for this beachy locale.
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Bejeweled Updo
These natural waves were tucked into a romantic gather at the base of the head and accented with a sparkly accessory. It's giving all the Art-Deco magic.
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Slicked-Back Chignon
This bride's slicked-back chignon radiates a timeless elegance that befits her classic wedding with informal touches.
Bringing the hair upward and then down, rather than adding a part, pulls the eyes up highlighting the face and elongating the neck.
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Romantic Low Bun
Sleek and slicked back isn't the only option here. Add some volume and softly rake back hair for a more romantic spin on the style.
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Half-Up Bun
This bride put a fresh twist on the conventional half-up, half-down style by spinning the ends into a fun bun instead of letting them hang down in a ponytail-like fashion.
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Bombshell Curls
Long lengths aren't necessary for a sexy, bombshell look. Case in point: This bride knocks it out of the park with her voluminous, slightly curled, mid-length locks.
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French-Braided Updo
A French-braided tuck is an ideal option for keeping your hair out of your face and withstanding the test of an all-night dance party. Bonus: The style looks fabulous with a statement earring.
When selecting a bridal hairstyle, don't forget to take into consideration the style of your dress and any accessories that you plan on wearing down the aisle. If you choose to wear a veil, make sure that it complements your bridal 'do.
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A Sleek Coif
A sleek bun looks oh so sweet with tender, face-framing wisps. This lovely lady looks every bit the enchanted bride for her old world–themed nuptials.
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Half-Up Style With an Adorable Topper
We've never met a hairstyle that didn't look good topped with a flower crown. But we especially love it as a finishing touch to a half-up, half-down look as its shape naturally mimics the drape of the hair.
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Timeless French Twist
A French twist is timeless sophistication that befits any hair length and texture, even if you're working with some fringe like this beautiful bride. The simple 'do imparts a touch of vintage elegance to any look.
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Half-Up Waves With Boho Flowers
This bride added a hint of whimsy to her 'do by nestling a few dusty-hued blooms into her tousled waves. She looked every bit the autumnal fairy bride at her boho-chic vineyard wedding in Napa.
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A Lustrous Lob
Bride Megan made a major move by chopping off her lengthy locks into this chic lob between wedding events. The style was kept fresh and modern with a side part and ends curling inward.
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Stacked Buns
These glossy buns make sculptural 'dos approachable. The bride balanced the curves with a sizable, multi-colored hairpin for her sky-inspired wedding in New York City.
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Side-Parted Spirals
A deep side part and curled ends are a surefire sultry style. “On my wedding day, I desired a more polished and intentional look, but didn’t want to compromise on my staple curls," recalls the bride of her opulent Parisian wedding. "So my hairstylist refined mynatural curls—creating the perfect shape—and accented them withSwarovski crystal clipsto secure them away from my face.”
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A Pearl-Encrusted Bun
This swirling chignon takes on a whole new life with the addition of tiny pearls. The look is a divine complement to the flowing wedding gown at these elegant Hudson Valley nuptials.
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Textured Low Bun
When it comes to bridal buns, the more texture the better. “I chose to do a loose low bun because I love that look with the neckline of my dress," recalls the bride. "I wantedmy curlsto still show, but I knew if I wore my hair down that I'd constantly be pulling it away from my face.I liked the beauty of a swept back bun that still showed my hair texture.”
FAQ
Should I hire a professional hairstylist?
This is totally up to you! Depending on the level of difficulty of your bridal 'do, you may feel more comfortable seeking out professional help. If you decide to style it yourself, practice as much as possible before the big day.
How long will it take to do my hair?
Again, this totally depends on the complexity of the hairstyle that you've selected. For best results, be sure to schedule in 60 to 90 minutes to allow time for a blowout and styling. If you're getting your makeup done at the same appointment, double the time.
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